British Airways has revealed its new First class suite, featuring a design that combines pioneering technology with luxurious styling and the finest in UK craftsmanship. Olivia Palamountain reports

Set to debut in mid-2026 as part of British Airways' A380 retrofit programme, the new First cabin introduces several revolutionary features.

The reimagined seat, developed with Collins Aerospace RTX, has a 32-inch 4K TV screen and an ultra-wide 36.5-inch seat that converts into a 79-inch fully rectangular bed.

Each suite is enclosed by a 60-inch curved wall, inspired by Concorde's wing design, offering enhanced privacy while maintaining spaciousness. Innovation extends to passenger comfort with adjustable mood lighting offering preset scenes for relaxation, dining and cinema viewing. A wireless control tablet includes new "do not disturb" functionality, while soft panelling helps absorb sound within the private space.

For socialising, centre cabin seats feature a sliding divider to create a shared lounge space, complemented by stowable tables for "buddy dining". The design incorporates practical elements such as personal luggage spaces allowing passengers to wheel bags directly into their suite.

"We're incredibly proud to launch the next era of First that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity," says Calum Laming, British Airways' chief customer officer.

The new design forms part of the airline's £7 billion transformation programme and features exquisite materials from historic British manufacturers: Glasgow's Muirhead, crafting luxury leather for over 180 years, supplied the headrest and ottoman leather with distinctive Savile Row-inspired cream stitching.Yorkshire's Replin Hainsworth, a 230-year-old textile mill, created high-performance fabrics using traditional techniques, while Lancashire's Amann Group provided premium threading for the detailed stitch work and Dublin's Botany Weaving, established in 1934, produced bespoke wool carpeting.

British Airways remains the only European carrier offering First class services from London to the US. The carrier has already implemented more than 120 initiatives, including new short-haul seats and complimentary wifi messaging.